090510AM How to Pick a Beautiful Mother

INTRODUCTION

1. Segway

 1Thessalonians 4

³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

· that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

· that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

· that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

⁷ For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

 

2. &   Read 1 Peter 3:     and Pray 

 

¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers,

they may, by your good works which they observe,

glorify God in the day of visitation.

 Submission to Government

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,

whether to the king as supreme,

¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him

for the punishment of evildoers and

for the praise of those who do good.

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good

you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,

but as bondservants of God.

¹⁷ Honor all people.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God. Honor the king.

 Submission to Masters

¹⁸ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear,

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the harsh.

¹⁹ For this is commendable,

if because of conscience toward God one endures grief,

suffering wrongfully.

²⁰ For what credit is it if,

when you are beaten for your faults,

you take it patiently?

But when you do good and suffer,

if you take it patiently,

this is commendable before God.

²¹ For to this you were called,

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that you should follow His steps:
²² “ Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

 ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten,

but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins

in His own body on the tree,

that we, having died to sins,

might live for righteousness—

by whose stripes you were healed.

²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,

but have now returned to the Shepherd and

Overseer of your souls.

Submission to Husbands

¹ Wives, likewise,

be submissive to your own husbands,

that even if some do not obey the word,

they, without a word,

may be won by the conduct of their wives,

² when they observe your chaste conduct

accompanied by fear.

³ Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold,

or putting on fine apparel—

⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart,

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is very precious in the sight of God.

⁵ For in this manner, in former times,

the holy women who trusted in God

also adorned themselves,

being submissive to their own husbands,

⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord,

whose daughters you are if you do good

and are not afraid with any terror.

A Word to Husbands

⁷ Husbands, likewise,

dwell with them with understanding,

giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together of the grace of life,

that your prayers may not be hindered.

3. Background

Larger context of passage

3.1 likewise  ὁμοίως  g3668  homoiōs

Like what?

· verse 2.13  submit yourselves to every ordinance of man … (government)  —Letting your good conduct silence critics.

· verse 2.18 Servants, be submissive to your masters … ("economic")  —Following Christ's example of suffering.

· verse 3.1 Wives be submissive to your own husbands … (family)  —Winning a lost husband to the Lord.

Two of the key ideas in this passage

1. sojourners and pilgrims:  We are temporary visitors in this world.   (other words from common translations: strangers, aliens, exiles, foreigners, temporary residents)

Hebrews 11

9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child  when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,  embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

2. submissive: "Get in line in God's order."

subject—St#5293—uJpotavssw hoop-ot-as'-so:

uJpov by, under #G5259

tavssw  to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint #G5021

—A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader".

—In non-military use, it was "carrying a burden, assuming responsibility, a voluntary attitude of giving in, or cooperating".

4. Overview

· This morning I am not going to address these verses in their larger context. 

· Instead I would like to draw out ...

Twelve characteristics of a beautiful woman.

1. soul winner ( 1 )

2. doer ( 1 )

3. pure ( 2 )

4. respectful ( 2 )

What it's not  ( 3 )  hair, jewelry, cloths

5. gentle (meek) ( 4 )

6. quiet ( 4 )

7. holy ( 5 )

8. faith (hope) ( 5 )

9. submissive ( 5 )

10. obeyed ( 6 )

11. good ( 6 )

12. courage ( 6 )

These characteristics are not all unique to beautiful women.

be submissive

ylt, esv—subject; kjv, Wuest——subjection; nasb, nkjv, niv—submissive; nlt—accept the authority

1. She is a SOUL WINNER.

^1.Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

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Even though 2 Corinthians 2:14 admonishes us to...

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Sometimes a believer ends up an unbelieving mate.

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not obey the word  ἀπειθέω apeitheō     1) not to allow one's self to be persuaded  2) not to comply with 

Comp w/ Rom 2.5 "...contentious and do not obey the truth..."

  Acts 19.9 "...were hardened, and believed not …"

be won  κερδαίνω G2770 kerdainō   to gain, acquire, to get gain

· She is concerned about the salvation of others

· She is persistent in seeking to "win them" to the Lord.

· It reflects a giving outward focus.

2. She is a DOER.  ( 1 )

^1.Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

without a word

conduct ἀναστροφή  G391 anastrophē

ylt, kjv—conversation; nasb, niv—behavior;

nkjv, esv—conduct; Wuest—manner of life; nlt—godly lives

· In three proverbs we are told that it is better to live in the corner of a housetop or the wilderness than with a contentious woman.  (Proverbs xxv.14;  xxi.9&19)

· Her actions speak louder than her words.         1 Peter 2.11-12  Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3.11-12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

· Don't be distracted by a sweet voice. What does she do?

3. She is PURE.  ( 2 )

^2. when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

chaste     ἁγνός  G53 hagnos  1. exciting reverence, venerable, sacred    2. pure          (looks like the word we translate "saint")

kjv, nasb, nkjv—chaste;

ylt, esv, Wuest, nlt—pure; niv—purity

conduct  ἀναστροφή  G391 anastrophē   

ylt,nasb—behavior; kjv—conversation; nkjv, esv—conduct; niv, Wuest—life; nlt—lives

1. Pure in the sense of moral purity.

1 Peter 1

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." ¹⁷ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

2. Also in the sense of simple and and sincere like in

James 1:27

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

4. She is RESPECTFUL.  ( 2 )

^2. when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

fear   φόβος  G5401 phobos   1. fear, dread, or terror  2. reverence

ylt, kjv, nkjv—fear;

nasb, esv—respectful; niv—reverence; nlt—reverent; Wuest—reverential fear

The normal meaning of this word is fear and we should look to the context for a reason to not understand it that way. In verse six we see the same Greek word used to say that she should not fear. Here it refers to a respectful, reverent attitude.

The word fear, in this place, may refer either to the fear of God, or to a proper respect and reverence for their husbands, Ephesians 5:33.  —Albert Barnes in Barnes Notes on the NT

Ephesians 5.22  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

What not to look for

^3. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

adornment  κόσμος G2889 kosmos   orderly arrangement if things

· "...the genius of the word speaks of the fact that that adornment should be that which is fitting, coungrous, not diverse from one's character."   ——Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek N. T.

a)  arranging hair

arranging  ἐμπλοκή G1708 emplokē  an interweaving, braiding, a knot

ylt, kjv-=-plaiting; nasb, esv—brading; niv—braided; nlt—hairstyle

b) wearing gold      c) fine apparel

incorruptible  ἄφθαρτος aphthartos

ylt, kjv, nkjv—incorruptible;  nasb, esv, Wuest—imperishable; niv, nlt—unfaiding

beauty

· If you are using worldly techniques to be attractive, what are you going to attract?  Do you really want someone who operates in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God?

· So what does the godly woman look like? 

It may not be easy to fix the exact limit of propriety about the method of arranging the hair, or about any other ornament; but those whose hearts are right, generally have little difficulty on the subject. —Albert Barnes in Barnes Notes on the NT

1 Timothy2:9 gives some guidance here.

4. She has a MEEK / GENTLE SPIRIT.  ( 5 )

⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

gentle πραΰς praÿs —mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness

ylt, kjv, Wuest—meek; nasb, nkjv, esv, niv, ylt—gentle

Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isa 41:17, Luk 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).    —BlueLetterBible

· Mt 5:5   Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

· Mt 11:29   Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

· Mt 21:5   Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

· Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

· Matthew 23:12

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;

and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

· James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 

6. She has a QUIET SPIRIT.  ( 5 )

⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

 incorruptible ἄφθαρτος G862 aphthartos  1) not liable to decay 2) immortal

· While the physical appearance typically declines with age, the spirit should grow in beauty with age and spiritual maturity.

 quiet ἡσύχιος hēsychios  quiet, tranquil

· Notice, that it said a quiet spirit, not a quiet voice.  It is not talking about the qualities of a soft voice, but the attitude of the heart.

· This word is also used in

1 Timothy 2: 1 I exhort  therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority;  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2 Thessalonians 3

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

7. She is HOLY.  ( 5 )

⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

holy  ἅγιος hagios  most holy thing, a saint  (literally, "set-apart ones —Wuest)

 Holy (transcendent and pure)

Definition: God is exalted* and sinless pure.   *in the sense that He is separate from and above everything else

Key verses: Psalm 24:3-4a “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…”

Explanation: This verse shows the two parts of God’s holiness.  He is far above us and He is without any sin. The part that talks about “ascending into the hill of the Lord” emphasizes that God is above and beyond us.  The part that talks about “clean hands and a pure heart” shows that God cannot sin or be around sin

The holy women of old were also holy in two ways

1. They lived in distinction from the material world and system around them.  SEPARATE

2 Coirinthians 6

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you* are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."* 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."*

1. They lived lives of moral integrity.  RIGHTEOUS

8. She is a woman of FAITH (HOPE). ( 5 )

⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

trusted   ἐλπίζω G1679 elpizō 1) to hope (in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence); 2) hopefully to trust in

Hebrews 11  ¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Two parts:

She hoped for God's promise (a son for Abraham)

She trusted God for the ability to do her part in bringing it to pass.

1 Peter 1.10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us  they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

9. She is SUBMISSIVE.  ( 5 )

¹ Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands...

⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

submissive ὑποτάσσω hypotassō

ylt, kjv, Wuest—subject, subjection; nasb, nkjv, esv, niv—submissive; nlt—accepted the authority of their husbands

own husbands  not to men in general

10. She is OBEDIENT.  ( 6 )

⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

obeyed  ὑπακούω hypakouō  same as Ephesians 6.1

· Talk about the two parts of the word and the way they make the meaning.   hearing   under    listening with a view to respond

calling him lord  Sarah used it as a courtesy to her husband, and as a recognition of his authority over her.  ——Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek N. T.

...may refer do Gn. 18.12 where the word 'husband' can also mean 'lord' or 'master.'  —D.A Carson in the New Bible Comentary

Genesis 18.¹⁰ And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. ¹² Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

The attitude of Sarah toward her husband is

not old fashioned,

it is timeless.

11. She is GOOD. ( 6 )

⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

lit. ones doing good and not fearing any dismay

good  ἀγαθοποιέω agathopoieō   1) to do good, do something which profits others 2) to do well, do right

ylt, nkjv, esv—good; nasb—well; nasb, niv, nlt—right

Two Examples

· Acts 10  (Peter with Cornelius the centurion )

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

· Acts Acts 9:36-43

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

1 Timothy 5:10   of widows ...

well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

12. She is COURAGEOUS.  ( 6 )

⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

ylt—not fearing any terror

nasb—not being frightened by any terror

esv—do not fear anything that is frightening

Wuest—not being caused to fear by even one terror

kjv—not afraid with any amazement

nkjv—not afraid with any terror

niv—do not give way to fear  (dynamic)

nlt—without fear of what your husbands might do (interpretive)

A woman who does something because she is afraid is not submissive, she is just afraid.

Proverbs 25.29

The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

not afraid  φοβέω phobeō

terror   πτόησις ptoēsis  to be afraid of with terror

7. ⁷ Husbands, likewise,

dwell with them with understanding,

giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together of the grace of life,

that your prayers may not be hindered.

· understanding

· honor

· heirs

· prayers

 

Conclusion:

1. The key to our view of what makes a woman beautiful, is to remember that as Christians, we are ….

strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.    Hebrews 11

· We have a different set of priorities, a different set of values

· We should not operate in the passion of lust as the gentiles who know not God.

· Our focus should be on the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty